If you drove down Madison's South Towne Drive Thursday, you may have noticed what looked to be a major police operation. This time it was just training.
About 50 officers took part in a full-team call-out of the Madison Police Department's Emergency Response Team.
The scenario: a hostage with a weapon holed up in a house on Moorland Road.
Officers suited up in their scouting and SWAT gear. Snipers, scouts, and entry teams all role-played in an effort to practice the best way to handle a hostage situation.
"Be prepared, you can never train enough for when the big one goes down," says Officer Mike Hanson from the Madison Police Department.
The Madison Police Department holds various mock drills every month. Officers are required to train 32 hours a year.
Thursday night's drill was funded in part by the Department of Homeland Security.
